-->

Haloalkanes And Haloarenes

Question
CBSEENCH12008007

Explain the reason for the following:
A primary alkylhalide, RX, reacts with KCN to give an alkyl cyanide and with AgCN to give an alkyl isocyanide as the major, product.

Solution

KCN is ionic in nature so it dissociates completely into K+ and CN- also, C-C bond is more stronger then C-N bond because of this when haloalkanes react with KCN to form alkyl cyanides.
straight R minus straight X space plus straight K to the power of plus minus CN to the power of minus space rightwards arrow with space space space space space space space space space on top space RCN space plus space KX

AgCN is convalent in nature thus, it does not dissociate in to Ag+ and CN- and on nitrogen electron density is high thus haloalkane react with AgCN and isocyanide is form.
straight R minus straight X space plus space AgCN space rightwards arrow with space space space space space space space space space on top stack RNC space with Alkyl space isocyanide below plus AgX